As the leaves continue to fall, the temperature continues to drop, and the Thanksgiving feast is readied, we all try to take a step back and think about what we are truly thankful for in our lives.

A commonality we notice amongst our Equinunk and Blue Ridge campers is that they are all thankful for the opportunity to go to camp! This is music to our ears and reassures us that Equinunk and Blue Ridge continue to provide the wholesome environment of time-honored traditions that date back nearly 100 years! As much as we love and appreciate hearing about how much Equinunk and Blue Ridge means to people, what sometimes gets lost is all that our parents do in order to send us to camp. This Thanksgiving, we at Equinunk and Blue Ridge would like to give a special recognition and thank you to our camp parents who do so much and provide their children the chance to have a truly spectacular summer at Equinunk and Blue Ridge.

on Broadway The Greatest Show

This October, we got together with some of our 2018 Sophomore girls and their mothers for our biennial Blue Ridge on Broadway! The fall At some points we wondered if we were at a is always such a nice time to catch Cirque Du Soleil show! It also seemed fitting—with 80 Blue Ridge up, reminisce on summer 2018 guests in the audience, that The Big Apple Circus this season has and look ahead to summer 2019! their very first female ring master who led the show with confidence, We enjoyed a very special private whimsy, and an amazing energy. We thank everyone who was able to brunch party at The Sugar Factory in join us and made the day so special. NYC with great food and some amazing ice cream sundaes with “mushy cookies.” It’s so nice to see that not only do our campers To quote P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman—“The noblest form the best bonds with their camp friends—but the mothers have art, is that of making other people happy”—Not only is this how made new friends and connections too! we feel about spending the day with our Equinunk and Blue Ridge families, but also how we feel about our experiences at camp over It felt very appropriate to experience an opening day performance of the summer, and how fostering these connections and friendships The Big Apple Circus after the popularity of The Greatest Showman makes all of us so happy throughout the year. this past summer! Being in The Big Apple Circus tent felt classic and reminiscent of the 1850s when The Greatest Showman took place however, they have certainly taken the circus to new heights— literally! The modern circus is much more than clowns and juggling! #weliveforthis The performances dazzled with live music and showcased amazing talents on the trampoline, acrobatics, and of course, the flying trapeze! Richie’s Thanksgiving Story

As far back as I can remember to my childhood days know that at that moment, the meaning of Thanksgiving was about to change for me in Brooklyn, Thanksgiving has always been my forever. There wasn’t any money in the wallet, only a driver’s license and two black favorite holiday. I was filled with anticipation and and white photos. Robert Goodwin—that was his name. In one of the pictures, he especially thankful for a three-day school week. It was standing with his arm around a woman who looked like she might have been seems like yesterday that I was looking forward to his grandmother. In another one, he was about nine or ten and dressed in a baseball an entire weekend of amazing food, a touch football uniform with a big smile on his face. I vaguely knew the address on the license and I game with friends and spending time with a very large figured why not do something nice—it’s Thanksgiving and I would make him happy extended family as well as a group of dear friends. by returning this to him. The address was somewhere in the projects and it started to As Sheryl goes into countdown mode for our annual Thanksgiving dinner, her get really cold as I made my way over there, getting lost a few times trying to find recipe for success looks easy although, it’s anything but. Shopping, cooking and the right building as they all looked the same. I finally got to the apartment I was planning for everyone’s special needs and desires is all done with love. Children, looking for and I rang the bell. Nothing happened and I assumed no one was home. grandchildren and friends all arrive in descending waves that weekend. The first Just when I was about to give up, I heard someone shuffling to the door. An old ones to arrive come with devotion and love and enjoy helping in the many tasks woman’s voice asked, “Who’s there?” and I said I was looking for Robert Goodwin. involved with the holiday preparation. After years of training, it’s seamless and “Is that you, Robert?” the old woman said and she undid about fifteen locks and runs like clockwork. Children appear with flowers, fruit and pies from the east end opened the door. She had to be at least eighty-five or ninety years old, and the first farm stands. Special desserts are brought out from favorite NYC bakeries. Dinner thing I noticed about her was that she was blind. “I knew you’d come home, Robert,” is preceded by going around the table and hearing what everyone is thankful for, she said. “I knew you wouldn’t forget your Grandma Ethel on Thanksgiving.” She particularly a special thank you to Sheryl for her amazing efforts. “When you’ve got opened her arms and hugged me. I didn’t have much time to think, and before I knew a wife, mother, grandmother, friend and boss like that, then you’ve got something!!!” what was happening, I realized by pretending to be her grandson, I was giving joy It’s like CBR’s Mess Hall is echoing to our very own dining room. Our meal lasts to a lonely person on Thanksgiving. Don’t ask me why I did this but I didn’t want longer than any twenty-minute dinner at Equinunk and about as long as at CBR if to disappoint her and I never said I was her grandson. I wasn’t trying to trick her. It you include all the time spent on singing and cheering. was like a game we decided to play. Granny Ethel knew I wasn’t her grandson but it made her happy to pretend. It was Thanksgiving, and I was happy to go along with As time passes, I just enjoy being quiet, sitting back, observing everyone’s her, so we spent the day together. She asked me about school, sports and my friends. conversation and focusing on our grandchildren. Almost on cue, I see our oldest I told her a hundred funny stories and she enjoyed every one of them. After a while grandson and Sheryl locked in a smile and quickly go off to their annual table we were both getting hungry so I went to the market, got some pre-cooked turkey, tennis tournament. They are ferocious and there is no grandma/grandson leniency, an assortment of sides and a great chocolate cake for dessert. We had dessert in her particularly as he’s gotten older! It feels like camp, as our granddaughter springs into living room and as Granny Ethel dozed off, I went to the kitchen to clean up and do a combination of cartwheels, round-offs and somersaults while our two-and-a-half- the dishes. She was still asleep when I finished so I left Robert’s wallet on the table, year-old grandson kicks and chases soccer balls across the kitchen and family room covered her with her shawl and left her apartment. As I made my way home, I smiled amid the cheers of doting relatives. and realized that there is more to Thanksgiving than turkey and football games with A setting sun and too much food seems to have lulled everyone into a quieter place friends. I brought joy into her life and I realized that the greatest joy comes from and I disappear into myself and fall into my favorite spot on the couch. I smile at giving of yourself and doing for others. everyone as I lose the battle of trying to keep my eyes open. This is the time when I’m sure we all realize how lucky we are and how much we have to be thankful for. I reminisce about the most unique Thanksgiving I ever spent. I’m back to 1969 on My hope is that when you reflect on what is most important this holiday season, you Delta’s NY flight to Columbus, Ohio. I needed to get back on Friday for graduate will realize that kindness and making others happy is the greatest gift. school classes and the big football game the next day. After the game, I took a taxi back to my apartment and noticed that a small black object was lying right in front Much joy, love, thankfulness and charity, of my front door. I bent down, picked it up and realized it was a wallet. I didn’t Richie

Gil - I want to be the worst player on the best team. I want Would you be an E/B Award winner? to surround myself with the best and keep getting better. Lori - Of course. Cats or Dogs? Gil - That question was answered 2018 on the last night of Lori - Dogs camp when I was awarded the E Award. Gil - Dogs If you were competing in the staff talent show Hot Dogs or Hamburgers? what act would you perform? Lori - Hamburgers Lori - Comedy Interview with Gil and Lori Gil - Hamburgers made by Premy Gil - Marc Ginsburg and I would sing “Anything You Can Favorite TV Show? Do, I Can Do Better.” I’m a terrible singer and would never Lori - I Love Lucy be able to pull this off. Terrible is a kind description. Gil - Big Bang Theory Fun Fact about yourself? You are the only one in camp…what is the first iPhone or Android? Lori - I love Broadway Musicals. thing you do? Lori - iPhone Gil - Was 2007 Chief Brett Zuckerman’s counselor/GH in Lori - Go down to the lake. Gil - iPhone 1993, 1994, his teacher in 1998 and his soccer coach in 1999. Gil - I go to one of two places—the steps outside the office If you could be on any color war team at any Fun Fact about camp that most people wouldn’t know? and look out or the benches down by the lake—just relax time what team would it be and why? Lori - We used to have typing as an activity. and listen to the sounds of nature and the beauty that camp Gil - That when I first started working at camp the staff Lori - Blue Circus 1980 – Best team ever! has to offer. laundry area used to be a full working bakery. The smell in Gil - Bernie Strauss’s team Family – spoken about so the mornings was spectacular. If you were a camper what would be your much would love to experience it. favorite activity? Favorite Camp saying? Lori - Singing If you could break color war in any way possible what would it be? Lori - Everybody up, up, up! Gil - Soccer!!!!! really anything sports related. I would Gil - What’s next and how can I help? Lori - A visit from the NY Yankees. also really like the hikes and campouts. Gil - Goodyear Blimp coming over campus as everyone Chocolate or Vanilla? If you were a superhero, which other staff came out of breakfast or lunch. Lori - Swirl member would you pick as your sidekick? Red or Grey/ Blue or Grey? Gil - Vanilla Lori - Sheryl If you were the captain of a pirate ship what Gil - Maciej, so he can get me the proper food to keep up Lori - BLUE and GREY Gil - Red would you name your ship? my diet and give me superpowers to be as strong as ever! Lori - CBR Pick any sport, would you rather be the best player on What is your favorite part of tribes? Gil - MBS Avenger Lori - The 4 lamps. the worst team, or the worst player on the best team? Gil - I absolutely love the stories—and that the traditions Lori - Best player on the worst team. are timeless. They say you cannot always control the weather and while this may be true, we can certainly prepare for it. We have built up our campus infrastructure over the past few years to burry power lines, install backup generators Fall in Wayne County Pennsylvania is a spectacular season for the area– to all the water wells, pumping stations, septic plant, commissary and gorgeous colors, cool dry air, crisp apples, brilliant pumpkin patches and both kitchens as well as incorporating four designated storm shelters into at Equinunk & Blue Ridge…the digging of excavators, the swinging of recent construction. Last summer the first three weeks of blue skies and cranes, the roaring of tractors, and the unmistakable sound of hammering intense heat were followed by four weeks of unprecedented rain which nails. That’s right, it is building season at EBR. We are in the precious ultimately led to new and innovative programming as well as around the window of time from when camp ends to when the heavy snow of winter clock facility and field care. As we do each August, Sheryl, Richie and I arrives where most of our crucial building is done. Excavation, site prep, review the projects we have committed to and reflect on the summer’s pouring foundations, setting trusses and framing of buildings all must operations in order to identify further campus development needs. Added get done before the weather brings a halt to our exterior building work. to an already ambitious 2019 development plan, we decided to enhance Even many of the massive drainage projects and new field expansion our ability to adapt to the ever changing weather conditions; with a new taking place this year must be done during this time to allow the ground fully insulated roof and ventilation system for the CBR Mess Hall, a series to ‘settle’ during the winter months for final landscaping in the spring. So of drainage systems and catch basins throughout both CE and CBR front let’s get into it, here are just some of the major projects underway this fall campus, a redesign and upgrade to boys’ front campus and walkways, at Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge. new footpaths to CE Lehrer field, raising and expansion of the Equinunk handball fields, and the installation of several shade pavilions on both CE While the current EBR Amphitheater located on our CBR campus is less and CBR Lehrer fields in addition to both swimming pools. We also began than 20 years old, our music and theater programs have grown in leaps initial site prep and drainage for the 2020 expansion of the CE Social Hall and bounds during that time, as have the size and complexity of the artists and enhancement of the flagpole area, a renovation of CBR HQ and the and performances of our outside entertainers. It is with this in mind, we start of a three-year major renovation project of EBR staff housing. decided to create a brand new amphitheater for our campers. In addition to state-of-the-art sound and lighting for camp theater productions, the stage Even though Equinunk, PA has already seen its first trace of snow, we are house will be home to GleeBR and a new music program and recording hopeful the weather will remain calm for just a few more weeks allowing studio for Blue Ridge. Constructed right into the hillside of the former us to complete the work at hand before the cold and snows of winter theater site, this magnificent amphitheater will provide a perfect setting arrive. With many trips up to camp this fall and winter to check in on the for our camp shows, CBR Friday night services and the dozens of special many projects, make sure to keep checking our social media accounts for events and outside entertainers we bring to EBR each summer. the latest photos and reports from 18417. Let’s Get Together Let’s Get Together To our 2019 new campers!

Evan Dyme Teddy Kromberg Oliver Rivkind Dylan Fischer Ethan Kwiat Jake Rogowsky Carter Fishbach Owen Ladetsky Nate Rosenblatt James Gordon Matthew Legouri Evan Ross Nicki’s Fall Ashton Gross Jayden Livingston Jackson Saidel BOYS Ruben Harooni Dylan Lota Alek Salzman Playlist Spencer Herbsman Ari Lupin David Salzman Alex Aronstein Ari Hirsch Jared Mallen Ben Sanders Blake Bender Samuel Holzer Jackson Margulies Justin Schnur Colby Berkowicz Jordan Javeline Sam Matlin Tyler Shamash Africa - Weezer Myles Birnbaum Noah Kabakoff Austin Minsky Seth Shinder Mason Blum Alexander Brody Nadler Jake Stutz Summer on You - PRETTYMUCH Noah Chodos Kirschner Asher Natko Jack Dutton Miller Kleiman Jack Rivkind Waste it on me - Steve Aoki ft. BTS A Million Dreams - P!nk Sophie Fenton Blake Kamen Stella Ross Halle Forusz Samantha Kern Skylar Rostolsky Thursday - Jess Glynne Jordan Friedman Samantha Kerven Dylan Rovelli Sadie Glassgold Dani Kline Riley Sanderson Walk Alone - Rudimental ft. Tom Walker GIRLS Gemma Gold Alexis Leibowitz Lilah Schwartz Brooke Goodman Sasha Levy Dylan Silver Sari Battaglia Juliette Harasymiak Eliza Manton Max Stein Party for One - Carly Rae Jepson Jayde Bernstein Charlotte Hoke Emma Nadler Madison Stutz Samantha Brenner Lola Irwin Eva Porrazzo Farrah Tepper Polaroid - Jonas Blue, Liam Payne & Lennon Stella Zoey Dorn Tali Kabakoff Emerson Redlich Avery Wachtel Madison Dworkin Amanda Kahn Marley Resnick Spencer Youngman Simple - Florida Georgia Line Dylan Elgort Caroline Kahn Makayla Robinson Trust My Lonely - Alessia Cara

You too can be a part of the Experience Experience Camps Camps family—in many different ways! We already have had several camp families donate their After camp came to a close last summer, Equinunk and Blue Ridge had the birthday money or do a bar/bat mitzvah project helping privilege of welcoming Experience Camps to our home away from home. Experience Camps. Some of their campers don’t have Experience Camps is a one week bereavement camp in which every single camper sufficient clothing, so if your son/daughter has grown out has experienced the loss of a loved one. It’s a place where kids can laugh, cry, play, of their clothes and you would like to help please make a create, remember the person who died, or forget the grief that weighs them down. bag and send it to PO Box 5099, Westport, CT 06881. Campers can feel “normal,” because everyone there has been through something similar and understands what it’s like to lose someone important to them.

This past summer was our first-time hosting Experience Camps! It was a magical week—everyone there felt the energy and the spirit. Every day had a clinical activity to help the campers with their bereavement process, but the rest of the time it’s total fun and games. Think color war cheering mixed with the Upper Senior Basketball Game! The whole week was ELECTRIC!!! At night, we shifted gears to a much more serious tone. We had our special campfires in which someone would present a topic to the entire camp, maybe it was their story, or how someone in camp has helped them heal this week, or the differing emotions Volunteers are always needed (must be 19 or they were feeling that day. Whatever it was, there was always respect, love, and older) so please help in spreading the word! support for one another during all the activities.

We are proud and excited that Experience Camps will back for 2019 to play Apply Here basketball in the hall, go down the water slide, compete in flag football up on Lehrer, and play Wiffle ball under the lights at the little “e.”

So, you see—Experience Camps is VERY similar to daily life at CECBR. It is a place where kids go to be kids. Experience Camps have helped so many pick up the pieces of their life by providing a safe environment which demonstrates empathy, love, and support!